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Cataract Surgery - Preparation

Cataract surgery is the removal of the cloudy natural lens. In most cases, after the removal, a permanent intraocular lens is implanted to replace the natural lens to restore the eyes focusing ability.

When to Have Cataract Surgery?

A cataract surgery is decided upon by some factors that include the ability of the eyes to see during daily activities. There are cases when the patient may not loose all vision ability like in driving, watching TV or working on a computer even when diagnosed with cataract.

But that will be only in the initial stage, eventually, the patient will have ghostly vision, not the supernatural type, but literally cloudy visions. The colors will start to fade and the vision will soon loose clarity. These problems cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts in due time, until eventually the patient will loose the ability to perform normal activities. This is usually the time for a cataract surgery.

Before Cataract Surgery

Once cataract surgery is decided upon, there will be a thorough examination on your eyes. You will be given medications prior to the surgery.

Then you may be given a choice of which implant should be used to replace the eye’s natural lens; a regular single-vision intraocular lens or a presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens. The intraocular lens that will be used will depend on the patient’s lifestyle and the cost. Premium IOLs are much more expensive but they will reduce or totally eliminate the dependency on glasses.

Before cataract surgery, your eye will be meticulously measured in an introductory eye exam to establish the appropriate power of the intraocular lens that will be implanted in your eye. If you choose a premium IOL, you may need additional tests to ensure that measurements are accurate and that you don't have other vision troubles that might slow down the performance of the IOL.

If you need cataract surgery on eyes, the procedure commonly will be done on one eye at a time. An uncomplicated surgery can last for 10 minutes. But, you may be in the outpatient facility for 90 minutes or longer, the extra time will be needed for preparation and recovery.

A few days or weeks will be needed before the next surgery, this time will give your first eye the possibility to heal properly and be evaluated in a follow-up exam for any possible problems.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. You may be asked to skip breakfast and avoid drinking liquids; this will depend on the time of schedule of surgery. Upon arrival at the clinic, eye drops will be given to you to dilate your pupils and act as a sedative to help you relax. A local anesthetic will make the operation painless.

The skin around the eye will be meticulously cleansed, and sterile coverings will be placed around your eye and head.

Under an operating microscope, there will be one small incision made into the eye and the eye surgeon will then remove your cataract.